Crafty Teens:  In honor of Native American Heritage Day we will make our very own dreamcatcher.

The History & Lore Behind the Native American Tradition

A Native American ring with a web woven and decorated with beads, shells, and feathers to protect a person from bad dreams while sleeping.
Hung above the bed. Originally designed by Ojibwe and Lakota tribes.
Often made by women elders to protect children while they slept.
Made from materials that would eventually disintegrate into the earth over time as the children grew up.
Hoop was made from willow then bent into a circle.
Sinew tied 7 or 8 times to resemble a spider web leaving a hole in the center.

Decorated with feathers, stones, and shells.

Ojibwe

One of largest Native American
populations in U.S. and Canada
Great Lakes Region & Northern Plains
Speak Anishinaabemowin, a sect in the Algonquian language

Ojibwe Legend of Asibikaashi (Spider Woman)

Responsible for making sure the sun rises in every morning.
Sun sends its energy to all the Ojibwe tribes.
As tribes spread out, became more difficult for Spider Woman to send sun’s energy to everyone.
Asked tribal mothers to make dreamcatchers to catch bad dreams.

Lakota

Subculture of the Sioux
Current lands in North & South Dakota
Consists of 7 sub-tribes: Sičháரǧu, Oglála, Itázipčho,
Húரkpapha, Mnikhówožu, Sihásapa, Oóhenuரpa
Sitting Bull was a Húரkpapha chief and Holy Man
Black Elk was a Medicine Man

Lakota Legend of Iktomi (The Great Teacher)

Tribal leader given a vision from Iktomi after climbing to the top of a mountain.
Iktomi appeared to him as a spider.
Told the elder about the circle of life and how decisions impact the world around them.
Spider spun a web in a circle of willow to illustrate the life and death cycle.
Iktomi gave the leader the hoop and shared how it would catch bad dreams and allow good dreams through.

Source: "History and Meaning of Dreamcatchers" by Chandan Tolaney (March 3, 2023)

Questions:  jhuston@sailsinc.org